On your bikes

Probike, one of Thailand’s leading bike and accessory distributors, gets into competition cycling with the inaugural Classique Duathlon 2018 taking place next month in Suphan Buri.
The town, which is often referred to as the City of Gold and also City of Sports, is hosting the event at its Provincial Stadium on July 21 and 22.
Is a duathlon a step below the triathlon? 
“We wouldn’t say it like that,” says Natee Chaisinthop, marketing executive of Probike. 
“This event is very challenging. A cyclist can ride 120 kilometres but can’t run five kilometres. Likewise, a runner can do a marathon but can’t ride 30 kilometres. Exercise helps us survive any emergency and it’s known to be good for people suffering from panic disorders and anxiety.”

For this first event, the duathlon has its own motto – “Challenging Never Ends”, which Natee says means “everybody must be happy and safe.”
“It’s our dream to build a sports culture in this country,” he says, “We have been in the business for 28 years and have always promoted the challenges and enjoyment of this alternative sport. Most importantly, it helps us to make friends easily. So now, we’re organising a duathlon and encouraging cyclists to challenge their limits.
“We have organised many bike events over the last 28 years including the ‘Probike Family Day’, which had as its slogan ‘Together We Make a Family.’ By ‘family’ we don’t just mean people who are related but all cyclists. We also held the Probike 24 Hours MTB Race, the Probike MTB Challenge in Sattahip and Century Ride, which has now been held more than 50 times and draws large families with lots of kids. This time, we are offering a challenging and safe experience under the rules of the International Triathlon Union.
Natee says Probike selected Suphan Buri as the venue because of its reputation as a city of sports. “The roads are very wide,” he points out.
Probike has chosen to collaborate on the event with Suphan Buri Football Club.
“Suphan Buri doesn’t have any hills – just five flyovers that are considerably smaller than hills. But we see an increasing number of people coming to the stadium to exercise, whether running, cycling, skateboarding or playing futsal,” says Warawut Silpa-archa, son of Chart Thai Pattana’s late party leader Banharn and president of the Suphan Buri Football Club.
The duathlon is divided into four groups for men – 18 years and up, 30-39 years old, 40-49 years old and 50 and over, and two groups for women – 18 years and up and 30 plus. All bicycles are accepted except folding bikes and fatbikes.
The event will also feature a Probike Mini Expo at the stadium offering bikes and sports gear at bargain prices, food trucks and sponsor zones. Proceeds from sales will go to charity.

Pedal power

- The Probike Classique Duathlon 2018 is limited just 500 participants. 

- Registration costs Bt3,000 and should be made at https://RideRight.probike.co.th.